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Low cost upgrade

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  • 22-09-2010 8:24pm
    #1
    MayoForSam
    Registered Users Posts: 2,274 ✭✭✭


    I want to upgrade the graphics card on an old-ish machine (E6600 dual core 2.4 GHz, 3GB RAM, Windows 7) on the cheap to tide me over for a few months and allow me to play some not-too-recent titles (e.g. Civ 4, L4D2, Dragon Age) at a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024.

    Card is currently a 7600 GT. Which of these two would be worth the upgrade - X1950 Pro 256MB or an 8800 GTS 512MB? Or should I look at spending a bit more? Budget €40-50.


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    #2
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    The latter card is far superior. And unless you find a HD4850 or better going for <€50 second-hand it'll be the best you can get. Just be wary of power requirements - both the 8800GTS and the HD4850 are a fair bit thirstier than the 7600GT so make sure you have a bit of PSU overhead! :)


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    #3
    kfish2oo2
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭kfish2oo2


    The X1950 Pro isn't even remotely worth considering. Its far too many generations old to handle new content. Find a 4850 or 4870 second hand (usually between €40 and €80) and you'll be set for a good while.


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    #4
    lmimmfn
    Registered Users Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭lmimmfn


    kfish2oo2 wrote: »
    The X1950 Pro isn't even remotely worth considering. Its far too many generations old to handle new content. Find a 4850 or 4870 second hand (usually between €40 and €80) and you'll be set for a good while.
    8800GTS 512Mb performance is between the performance of a 4850 or 4870 so hes good with that, roughly 8800GT=4850 performance


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    #5
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    lmimmfn wrote: »
    8800GTS 512Mb performance is between the performance of a 4850 or 4870 so hes good with that, roughly 8800GT=4850 performance

    Very small differences between them but on average:

    8800GT ≈ 9800GT < HD4830 <<< 8800GTS (512MB) ≈ 9800GTX < 9800GTX+ < GTS250 ≈ HD4850 <<< HD4780


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    #6
    lmimmfn
    Registered Users Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭lmimmfn


    Solitaire wrote: »
    Very small differences between them but on average:

    8800GT ≈ 9800GT < HD4830 <<< 8800GTS (512MB) ≈ 9800GTX < 9800GTX+ < GTS250 ≈ HD4850 <<< HD4780
    yeah, 8800GTS (512MB) == 9800GTX( except the latter has slightly higher default clocks, but the cards are effectively the same only 9800GTX supports tri SLI whereas the 8800GTS( 512MB ) card only supports SLI )

    Also 9800GTX+ == GTS250 ( http://www.anandtech.com/show/2731 )

    So its:
    ( 8800GT == 9800GT )< HD4830 <<<( 8800GTS (512MB) == 9800GTX ) < ( 9800GTX+ == GTS250 )≈ HD4850 <<< HD4780 ≈ 260GTX < HD4790 < 260GTX( 216SP )

    However the GTS250 generally performs between the ATI4850 and 4870( mainly in TWIMTBP games though )

    Gotta love Nvidia branding :D


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    #7
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    It performs like a lump of ****e in other games though so it averages out around the HD4850. And another mention of The Way It Was Meant To Be Paid (Off) and I will beat you with sticks! icon19.gif

    of RAM :pac:


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